Vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel cell and method of making a vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a fuel cell for supplying electric vehicle systems. The fuel cell is thermally “coupled” with the internal combustion engine. The waste heat of the internal combustion engine is used for heating the fuel cell, that is, for maintaining the operating temperature of the fuel cell. The fuel cell is arranged directly on the engine where, in the case of conventional vehicles, the transmission is arranged. The transmission is arranged in the area of the rear axle in front of the rear-axle divider transmission.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0001]This application claims the priority of Application No. 101 40 210.4-22, filed Aug. 16, 2001, in Germany, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.[0002]The present invention relates to a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel cell and a method of making a vehicle.[0003]In modern mid-size and large-size vehicles, the internal combustion engine is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Normally, an auxiliaries drive is provided on the face of the engine. Auxiliaries, such as air conditioners, hydraulic pumps, etc. are mounted in the forward area of the engine or laterally and are driven by V-ribbed belts. The transmission may be an automatic multiposition reduction transmission or a manual transmission and is usually arranged in the area between the engine and the rear axle near the engine. Between the engine and the transmission, a hydrodynamic torque converter or a dry frictio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]According to a further development of the invention, the fuel cell is arranged where the manual or automatic transmission is situated in conventional vehicles. The transmission is placed toward the rear, for example, in front of the rear-axle divider transmission allowing better axle load distribution.

[0038]reduced cost in catalyst technology because a direct addition of fuel into the engine can take place in the warm-up or cold-start phase respectively, as well as an addition into the exhaust system in front of the catalyst;

Problems solved by technology

Attempts to provide the required electric energy using a battery and a crankshaft starting generator, which combine the functions of a starter and a generator, result in installation space problems.

There is also the problem that an optimal efficiency cannot be reached simultaneously for the starter and generator functions.

Another problem of conventional vehicle concepts is the axle load distribution, because the front axle has to carry the main load of the transmission line.

Particularly in the case of luxury vehicles, the transmission lines have a high weight, which is becoming less and less compatible with the requirement of sustainable use of resources.

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